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Journal of Physical Education and Sport ® (JPES), Vol. 22 (issue 2), Art 48, pp. 380 - 387, February 2022
online ISSN: 2247 - 806X; p-ISSN: 2247 – 8051; ISSN - L = 2247 - 8051 © JPES
Original Article
Normative values of elite taekwondoists
1 2 3 4 5
AMEL MEKIĆ , ELVIRA NIKŠIĆ , ALEN ČUKURIJA , EDIN BEGANOVIĆ , EROL VREVIĆ
1,3,4Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Sarajevo, BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA
2Faculty of Educational Sciences, University of Sarajevo, BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA
5Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Montenegro, MONTENEGRO
Published online: February28, 2022
(Accepted for publication February 15, 2022)
DOI:10.7752/jpes.2022.02048
Abstract
Indisputably, sport today plays a very important role in society and is marked by a kind of social popularity.
Events that directly affect the sport, such as the Olympics, world championships, and continental championships,
have huge ratings. The aim of this paper is to present the normative characteristics of elite taekwondoists. The
sample consisted of 40 male respondents, who were participants in the European Senior Championships in the
Olympic categories. The sample of variables consisted of 13 anthropometric points measured with appropriate
instruments, and 2 points were related to the achieved placement and weight category of the competitors. Based
on the obtained results, there were differences between male weight categories. They were visible at all
measured anthropometric points. The biggest difference was noticeable in the percentage of body fat and muscle
mass, where the lowest weight categories had a slightly lower percentage of adipose tissue, while the highest
weight categories had slightly higher muscle mass. Between the categories of up to 58 kg and up to 68 kg, there
was one significant difference in the shin length (cm). Between the categories of up to 58 kg and up to 80 kg,
there were differences in 2 variables (skin fold of the back and length of the shin), while there were no
significant differences for up to 68 kg and up to 80 kg. Significant differences between the categories of up to 58
kg and over 80 kg occurred in 6 to 9 variables (triceps skin fold, back skin fold, abdominal skin fold, body fat,
thigh length, and shin length). Between the categories of up to 68 kg and over 80 kg, we observed a difference
between 2 variables (skin fold of the back and body fat), and we observed the same differences between the
categories of up to 80 kg and over 80 kg. The obtained normative values can help trainers in the planned
transition from a lower to a higher weight category, whose precondition is growth and development, taking into
account the health of young taekwondo athletes.
Key words: taekwondo, weight categories, anthropometry, body composition, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Introduction
Today, taekwondo is a physical activity with a fight against an opponent that includes self-defense, so
today's training programs are increasingly focused on hand and foot motor skills, as well as on the morphological
characteristics of the individual engaged in this activity (Šerović, Pleša – Bosnar, Dolani, 2004). The beginnings
of taekwondo are represented by martial arts that are known for high, fast, and strong kicks, which Korean
peasants used in the distant past as a defense against attackers. Taekwondo has grown from a traditional Korean
martial art (Taekyon - whose origins date back 1500 years) to a modern Olympic sport. The Korean martial art
recognizable by its high, fast, and strong kicks is called taekwondo. Taekwondo competitions can be conducted
in 4 different disciplines, and they are: 1) techniques (pomse), 2) sports wrestling (kyorugi), 3) strength test
(kyupka), and 4) self-defense (hosinsul). Based on the criteria of dominant energy processes, taekwondo belongs
to the group of anaerobic sports that are of high intensity and are characterized by fast, frequent, and short-term
actions. Good motor performance on the left and right side of the body is important for success in these activities
(Čular, Tomljanović, Strbad, 2010). Different body weights show 32 significant differences between people who
engage in this activity, and therefore, it is recommended that the process of physical exercise represented by this
activity is individualized (Segedi and Seretić, 2014; Dizon and Grimmer-Somers, 2012). Taekwondo is an
individual sport in which movements are practiced in advance (attack-counter attack), but their performance
depends on the opponent’s reactions. High automatization of movements, which requires a competitor to react as
quickly as possible in certain situations is essential for achieving top results (Čular et al., 2013). Competitions
for this activity consist of very short-term strokes, which are high-intensity movements that require a supply of
anaerobic energy (Fong, Chung, Ng, Ma, Chow, Tsang, 2014). In taekwondo, several technical elements are
used, and a division into basic and specific elements is made. The basic elements of taekwondo include the
following. 1. The technique in taekwondo makes it easier to take appropriate action during an opponent's attack,
make appropriate use of the power at its disposal, increase speed, and reduce fatigue. This is the basis of this
sport and is easy to adopt. 2. Forms represent a fight against an imaginary opponent in which the trainee moves
according to a precisely defined scheme and performs a predetermined series of defensive and offensive
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Corresponding Author: ELVIRA NIKŠIĆ, E-mail: elvira.beganovic1982@gmail.com
AMEL MEKIĆ, ELVIRA NIKŠIĆ, ALEN ČUKURIJA, EDIN BEGANOVIĆ, EROL VREVIĆ
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movements and techniques. 3. Wrestling - the lower limit in wrestling is 9 years of age, when participants
become younger cadets, but there are competitions for children to try this sport. The basic combat techniques
include attitudes, movements, blocks, punches, feints, and falls (Horvat, Miholić, Ćosić, 2016).
Materials and methods
Participants
The study included a sample of 40 participants (competitors) of the European Championship for seniors
in Olympic categories held in Sarajevo. The Olympic categories included 4 categories. Male categories included
up to 58 kg (n=11), up to 68 kg (n=7), up to 80 kg (n=17), and over 80 kg (n=5).
Sample of variables
The measuring instruments used in the study included a set of 13 variables for measuring
anthropometric characteristics in taekwondoists, as well as fat and muscle mass, which can be used to show
normative values of seniors with 2 points for each category and achievement. To assess the anthropometric
characteristics, 13 variables were measured: body height (TV), body weight (TM), body mass index (ITM -
BMI), tricep skin folds (KNT), bicep skin folds (KNB), back skin folds (KNL), abdominal skin folds (KNS),
thigh skin folds (KNN), shin skin folds (KNP), fat percentage (PM), muscle mass (MM), thigh length (DN), and
shin length (DP). The given characteristics were measured with the following instruments: a caliper,
anthropometer, altimeter, and inbody scales.
Research Design
Anthropometric variables were measured according to standard procedures of the International Society
for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK) (Marfell-Jones et al. 2006). Based on the variables of BH and
BW, BMI [BMI = BH (kg) / BW (cm)²] was calculated. BMI values for both subsamples were classified into 4
nutritional levels, according to the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from
2000 (Kuczmarski et al., 2000); see Table 1.
Table 1. Categorization of nutrition based on percentiles
BMI ≥ 95th percenile Obesity
BMI = 85-95th percentile Obesity tendency
BMI = 5-85th percentile Normal nutrition
BMI ≤ 5th percentile Malnutrition
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2000 (Kuczmarski et al., 2002)
Body composition was measured using an InBody720 scale (Aandstad, et al., 2014). The validity of determining
the body composition with InBody720 scales on a sample of children has been positively evaluated in previous
studies (Lim et al., 2009; Tompuri et al., 2015). The study was approved by the Ethics Commission of the
Faculty of Education, University of Sarajevo (World Medical Association, 2013). All parents were informed in
advance about the implementation of the research, which explained the purpose and goal of the study. Therefore,
the research was supported by all parents via written consent.
Statistical Analysis
All data collected were processed by descriptive statistics methods. To determine the differences
between the categories in antopometric characteristics, the T-test for independent samples was used. The
statistical program for personal computers SPSS for Windows version 20.0 was used for data processing. The
level of inference was set at p <0.05.
Results
In this section, the normative values of elite taekwondoists obtained in this study are presented. The
results shown in all tables confirmed that all variables had a normal dispersion of data distribution. For all
variables, the standard deviation was 3–5 times smaller than the arithmetic mean, which suggests a good
distribution of data. The results show significant differences between weight categories in the men, and the
largest difference in body composition was noticeable between the lowest and highest weight categories for each
variable, where the lowest weight category showed a slightly lower percentage of subcutaneous adipose tissue,
while the highest weight category showed a slightly higher muscle mass. An increase in category increased all
obtained values of arithmetic means (AS) and standard deviations (SD). According to the results, the difference
in muscle mass was 5.68 kg between men's weight categories of up to 58 kg and up to 68 kg, 4.43 kg between
men's weight categories of up to 68 kg and up to 80 kg, and the difference was 5.42 kg between men's weight
categories of up to 80 kg and over 80 kg. The body weights for the categories of up to 58 kg and up to 68 kg with
the arithmetic means (AS) of 58.19 kg and 68.27 kg were more than the allowed category, which showed that
competitors in these two weight categories were not measured immediately before weighing but before and after
the official weigh-in for the competition. However, for the category of up to 80 kg, the arithmetic mean (AS)
was 78.16 kg, which shows that competitors in this weight category weighed 1.84 kg less than the upper limit of
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AMEL MEKIĆ, ELVIRA NIKŠIĆ, ALEN ČUKURIJA, EDIN BEGANOVIĆ, EROL VREVIĆ
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the category. Not all respondents were measured at the same time, i.e., some respondents were measured before
and some after the official competition scales. Additionally, from Table 4, in the category over 80 kg, the
arithmetic mean (AS) was 92.16 kg from which we can conclude that most of the respondents were in the weight
category over 87 kg who were working on the World Cup. All weight categories except the weight category over
80 kg had random weighing, where some of the competitors were selected at random, and it was held just before
the competition. A competitor at random weighing may weigh 5% more than his weight category, e.g., if that
person is in the category of up to 68 kg, the competitor at random weighing may weigh a maximum of 71.40 kg
to pass the scale. Based on the results, for all male weight categories, the normal percentage of subcutaneous
adipose tissue prevails for top athletes; here, the arithmetic mean (AS) for the lowest category was 7.65%, and
for the highest, it was 13.28% in which the percentage increased by 0.28% with a projected range of 6–13%.
Table 2. Normative values of anthropologic characteristics of taekwondo fighters in the weight category of up to
58 kg
Weight category -58 (n=11) Min Max AS SD Skewness Kurtosis
Age 17 25 19.73 2.83 1.34 0.53
Hight (cm) 166 182 173.73 5.08 0.23 –0.89
Body mass (kg) 54 60 58.19 1.75 –1.95 4.96
Tricep skin folds h. (mm) 3 8 4.64 1.75 0.82 –0.40
Bicep skin folds h. (mm) 3 5 3.55 0.69 0.93 0.08
Back skin folds (mm) 6 10 7.18 1.17 1.42 2.72
Abdomen skin folds (mm) 3 14 6.45 3.05 1.60 3.31
Thigh skin folds (mm) 4 12 7.45 2.66 0.45 –0.95
Shin skin folds (mm) 2 12 4.36 2.84 2.18 5.74
BMI 18 21 19.31 0.99 –0.28 –0.23
Body fat (%) 3 16 7.65 3.39 1.52 3.72
Muscle mass (kg) 28 33 30.41 1.61 –0.31 –0.36
Thigh length (cm) 39 50 44.11 3.62 0.23 –0.93
Shin length (cm) 43 48 45.33 1.50 0.41 0.26
Area 3 23 13.46 7.06 –0.08 –1.75
Legend: Min – minimum values; Max – maximum values; AS – arithmetic mean; SD – standard deviation
Table 2 shows that the normative values for the weight category of up to 58 kg were set for a sample of
11 respondents with the final placement in the tournament from 3rd to 23rd place. The participants had an
average height of 173.73 cm (SD 5.08), an average body weight of 58.19 kg (SD 1.75), a body mass index
(BMI) of 19.31 kg/m2 (SD 0.99), and a body fat percentage of 7.65% (SD 3.39). The normative skin fold values
for the category of men of up to 58 kg were: triceps 4.64 mm (SD 1.75), biceps 3.55 mm (SD 0.69), back 7.18
mm (SD 1.17), abdomen 6.45 mm (SD 3.05), thighs 7.45 mm (SD 2.66) and shins 4.36 mm (SD 2.84).
Measures of distribution form (SKEW and KURT) were within normal distribution values except for body mass
variables (there was at least one high score) and skin fold of the shin (there was at least one high score). Based
on the measures of the range, the maximum value was kg, and the weighing was typically after the official
weighing for the competition.
Table 3. Normative values of anthropologic characteristics of taekwondo fighters in the weight category of up to
68 kg
Weight category -68 (n=7) Min Max AS SD Skewness Kurtosis
Age 18 26 20.71 2.69 1.43 2.22
Height (cm) 178 187 182.43 3.36 –0.37 –0.82
Body mass (kg) 68 69 68.27 0.47 0.79 0.48
Tricep skin fold h. (mm) 3 7 4.71 1.50 0.26 –0.97
Bicep skin fold h. (mm) 3 6 4.29 1.25 0.68 –1.10
Back skin fold (mm) 6 10 8.14 1.57 –0.68 –1.16
Abdomen skin fold (mm) 5 15 8.71 3.40 1.09 1.02
Thigh skin fold (mm) 5 11 7.71 2.43 0.07 –1.87
Shin skin fold (mm) 2 14 5.57 4.04 1.89 3.87
BMI 20 22 20.53 0.85 0.79 –0.92
Body fat (%) 3 12 7.27 3.55 –0.04 –1.63
Muscle mass (kg) 34 38 36.09 1.50 0.26 –1.02
Thigh length (cm) 42 49 45.20 2.78 0.48 –1.08
Shin length (cm) 46 54 50.00 3.65 0.00 –3.30
Area 6 24 15.86 6.18 –0.25 –0.41
Legend: Min – minimum values; Max – maximum values; AS – arithmetic mean; SD – standard deviation
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AMEL MEKIĆ, ELVIRA NIKŠIĆ, ALEN ČUKURIJA, EDIN BEGANOVIĆ, EROL VREVIĆ
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As shown in Table 3, the normative values of the weight category of up to 68 kg were obtained for a set of 7
th th
respondents with final placements in the tournament from 6 to 24 place. The participants had an average
height of 182.43 cm (SD 3.36), an average body weight of 68.27 kg (SD 0.47), a body mass index (BMI) of
2
20.53 kg/m (SD 0.85), and a body fat percentage of 7.27% (SD 3.55). The normative skin folds for the category
of men up to 68 kg were: triceps 4.71 mm (SD 1.50), biceps 4.29 mm (SD 1.25), back 8.14 mm (SD 1.57),
abdomen 8.71 mm (SD 3.40), thighs 7.71 mm 2.43), and lower legs 5.57 mm (SD 4.04). Measures of
distribution form (SKEW and KURT) were within normal distribution values except for the variables skin fold
of the back (there was at least one high score) and skin fold of the shin (there was at least one high score). Based
on the measures of the range, the maximum value was 69 kg, and the weighing was typically after the official
weighing for the competition.
Table 4. Normative values of anthropologic characteristics of taekwondo fighters in the weight category of up to
80 kg
Weight category -80 (n=17) Min Max AS SD Skewness Kurtosis
Age 17 29 21.65 4.03 0.68 –0.75
Height (cm) 181 199 187.47 5.00 0.80 –0.06
Body mass (kg) 69 84 78.16 3.44 –0.81 1.44
Tricep skin fold h. (mm) 2 10 5.24 2.31 0.58 –0.53
Bicep skin fold h. (mm) 2 6 4.06 1.30 0.07 –0.90
Back skin fold (mm) 6 13 9.18 2.38 –0.02 –1.49
Abdomen skin fold (mm) 3 23 9.35 5.24 1.07 1.34
Thigh skin fold (mm) 5 19 8.59 3.76 1.50 2.38
Shin skin fold (mm) 2 14 5.47 2.96 1.61 3.20
BMI 19 25 22.24 1.50 –0.53 0.15
Body fat (%) 5 16 9.07 2.88 0.98 1.17
Muscle mass (kg) 37 45 40.52 1.82 0.12 0.96
Thigh length (cm) 43 53 47.87 2.85 0.20 –0.63
Shin length (cm) 47 54 49.93 1.75 0.58 0.90
Area 2 27 14.35 8.32 –0.17 –1.25
Legend: Min – minimum values; Max – maximum values; AS – arithmetic mean; SD – standard
deviation
As shown in Table 4, the normative values of the weight category -80 kg were obtained for a set of 17
nd th
respondents with final placements in the tournament from 2 to 27 place. The participants had an average
height of 187.47 cm (SD 5.00), an average body weight of 78.16 kg (SD 3.44), a body mass index (BMI) of
2
22.24 kg/m (SD 1.50), and a body fat percentage of 9.07% (SD 2.88). The normative skin fold values for the
weight category of up to 80 kg were: triceps 5.24 mm (SD 2.31), biceps mm 4.06 (SD 1.30), back 9.18 mm (SD
2.38), abdomen 9.35 mm (SD 5.24), thighs 8.59 mm (SD 3.76), and shins 5.47 mm (SD 2.96). Measures of
distribution form (SKEW and KURT) were within normal distribution values except for body mass variables
(there was at least one high score) and skin fold of the shin (there was at least one high score). Based on the
measures of the range, the maximum body weight was 84 kg, and typical weighing was after the official
weighing for the competition. If we take into account that competitors had random weighing just before the
competition, which was more in relation to their category, the respondents who weighed 84 kg belonged to the
up to 80 kg weight category.
Table 5. Normative values of anthropologic characteristics of taekwondo fighters in the weight category of over
80 kg
Weight category +80 (n=5) Min Max AS SD Skewness Kurtosis
Age 17 29 22.00 4.47 0.98 1.51
Height (cm) 187 193 189.60 3.13 0.54 –3.25
Body mass (kg) 85 101 92.16 5.82 0.56 0.19
Tricep skin fold h. (mm) 4 15 7.60 4.34 1.74 3.36
Bicep skin fold h. (mm) 3 8 5.20 1.92 0.59 –0.02
Back skin fold (mm) 10 21 14.20 4.44 1.01 0.27
Abdomen skin fold (mm) 5 15 11.40 4.04 –1.25 0.95
Thigh skin fold (mm) 7 14 11.00 2.55 –0.91 2.00
Shin skin fold (mm) 2 8 5.00 2.24 0.00 0.20
BMI 24 27 25.58 1.20 –0.12 –2.98
Body fat (%) 6 24 13.28 7.04 0.60 –0.06
Muscle mass (kg) 39 55 45.94 5.71 0.80 1.99
Thigh length (cm) 44 49 46.80 1.79 –0.82 2.36
Shin length (cm) 49 53 50.20 1.64 1.74 3.25
Area 1 12 8.40 4.39 –1.66 2.80
Legend: Min – minimum values; Max – maximum values; AS – arithmetic mean; SD – standard deviation
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